Single step separation of human T and B cells using AET treated srbc rosettes

A technique for the single step separation of human thymus derived (T) and Bursa equivalent (B) lymphocytes was developed. Density separation of B lymphocytes and T lymphocyte-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) rosettes on Ficoll-Hypaque was modified by pretreatment of the SRBC with 2 aminoethylisothiouronium bromide hydrobromide. This modification yielded significantly purer populations of T and B cells. Up to 15 X 10(7) were separated without increasing contamination allowing for the recovery of B lymphocytes as well as T lymphocytes in sufficient numbers to use in functional assays.